My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Crawford County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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William C. Evans, circuit court clerk and ex officio recorder of deeds, was born in St. Francois County, Mo., March 1, 1835. His parents were William and Mahala A. (George) Evans, both natives of Claiborne County, Tenn., and born respectively, in 1793 and 1803. They were married in St. Francois County, Mo., where they spent the remainder of their lives in the pursuit of agriculture; both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. William Evans died in 1851, his wife died in 1872. Of their eight children William C. was the youngest but one; he obtained his education in the subscription schools and the Carleton Institute. Having farmed until 1861 he answered the first call for help for the war, and while engaged in guarding bridges became disabled and was discharged. Recovering he went to Rolla, Mo., and was commissioned enrolling officer, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. He then returned to the farm in St. Francois County, and in 1868 moved to Crawford County, being appointed railroad agent at Cuba. In 1867 he married Anna S. Otis, a native of Orange County, Vt., and of the same family as James Otis, the orator of revolutionary times. Mrs. Evans died in 1869, and in 1871 Mr. Evans married Miss Lucinda Stilwell, of Charlotteville, N. Y. This union has been blessed with six children. In 1874 Mr. Evans was elected circuit court clerk on the Republican ticket, and has since been his own successor. He is a stanch advocate of temperance and during the war was a strong Union man.

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This family biography is one of 117 biographies included in The History of Crawford County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Crawford County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Crawford County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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